cliff? is it not a cliff? is it it -- is it a slope? is it the end of america as we know it or whatever? but in this debate there are few things that are absolutely critical. tax policy, the president has laid out very, very clearly as did the election. we are going to do tax reform. yes, and it's time for those at the upper end of this wealthy country to pay their fair share. and so the president has made it very clear, we are going to raise the rates on those making over $250,000 a year. by the way, we ought to be clear about understanding what that means. that means 100% of americans get a tax break. on the first $250,000 of income. over that, yes, they are going to pay a higher rate, marginal rate for that over the top. but what i really want to talk about today with my colleagues who will be joining me in the next few minutes is another part of this debate. and that is on the reductions in federal expenditures. what's the best way to do it? how are we going to reduce federal expenditure